Qualifications

The Scholarship and related awards are for
1. A professional currently serving in the window coverings industry in a career position. The professional may be a business owner or employee.
2. A student who aspires to have a career in residential window fashions

Student Qualification

1. Must be a resident of North America, and plan to pursue a window fashions sales career in the US, Canada, or Mexico

2. Must be attending, or desiring to attend, any industry recognized course in interior design, window fashions, or other approved course. Grades and work experience will be considered.

3. Student will write a narrative as to the reason for interest in a career as a sales consultant or business owner in the field of custom window coverings

4. Work experience in window coverings will be considered a plus for qualification

5. Other qualifications as the admissions committee may determine

Professional Qualification

1. Must be a resident of North America, and plan to pursue a window fashions sales career in the US, Canada, or Mexico

2. Applicant may be a business owner, or an employee of a window coverings business

3. If a business owner, applicant must have, upon request, endorsement by two suppliers as to financial responsibility and ethical dealings with customers

4. Applicant, whether a business owner or employee, must have recommendations by two retail customers the applicant has served in the last six months. Letters from customers should be included with application. (We may place a customer recommendation section on the Website.)

5. An online Internet search for recommendations and complaints will be included, as part of reference checking for each finalist applying.

6. Applicant will write a narrative as to the reason for selecting a career as a window coverings sales consultant, compared to other career or business opportunities. Narrative should include applicant’s level of confidence with various products and services from blinds, shutters, and motorization to bedding and re-upholstery. A section telling future plans and commitment to the industry should be included

7. A mission of the scholarship fund is to broaden consumer awareness of the benefits of owning custom window fashions. Applicant should include a list of customers served in the most recent 90 days, with amount of sale for each. Then applicant should state how they would get the word out to more customers after they win the scholarship

8. A winning business owner may receive samples from select suppliers as an added award. If the samples are offered and accepted, winner must agree to open an account with each supplier where samples are accepted. Winner must make a good faith effort to use the samples and purchase a reasonable volume of products from the suppler(s)